If you are as old as me (and possibly younger, to be fair) you might remember the first incarnation, back around the turn of the century, of Adrian Berry's 'From Ibiza To The Norfolk Broads'. Well, now it's back, in a rather timely fashion, given the fact that it celebrates the life and influence of the late great David Bowie.
I put some questions to creator Adrian (aka AD of Jacksons Lane), To find out more about the show, why it's back, and how it's changed. Read the interview here.
'From Ibiza To The Norfolk Broads' is on at Waterloo East Theatre from 18 Oct-16 Nov. See the venue website here for more info.
MICHAEL KOSSEW: TELLIT FESTIVAL
We love festivals here at TWHQ, so as you can imagine, I was thrilled to hear about a new one springing up in the capital, and one at which sounds like pretty much every show is a show I want to see. The Tellit Festival is all about telling true stories, and it's via all kinds of different formats, so I can't help feeling there'll be something to suit everyone.
To find out more about what we can expect from Tellit, and how it all came about, I put some questions to festival director Michael Kossew. Read the interview here.
The Tellit Festival is on at various London venues from 16-22 Oct. Head this way to see all the listings.
PATRICK COLLIER: THE MARKED
Theatre Témoin first came to our attention via the Edinburgh Festival, where they've staged a number of shows, and it was great to hear that they'd be bringing their 2016 show 'The Marked' to Ovalhouse this month.
The play, a blend of physical theatre and poetry, focuses on a story of being homeless in London. To find out more, I spoke to creative producer Patrick Collier. Read the interview here.
'The Marked' is on at Ovalhouse from 13-22 Oct. See the venue website here for more info and to book tickets.
FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER 2016 >>
Letters To Windsor House | Camden People's Theatre | 14-17 Oct (pictured)
The latest show from the very excellent and TW Editors' Award winning Sh!t Theatre sees Louise Mothersole and Rebecca Biscuit exploiting a loophole in the Postal Services Act that says you can open other people's mail under certain circumstances, to create a show that offers stories, song, dodgy landlords, detective work, and their take on the housing crisis. See this page here for more info.
Songs For The End Of The World | Battersea Arts Centre | 13-15 Oct
I love the sound of this, which seems to be something of a mixture of concert and theatre from musician and theatre maker Dom Coyote and his band The Bloodmoneys. It's set in a near-future dystopia in which the citizens of the world are expecting an apocalypse. When it comes, astronaut Jim Walters is left suspended in orbit, broadcasting his songs for the end of the world, hoping someone might hear. For details, see this link here.
Roll Over Atlantic | Royal Festival Hall | 14-16 Oct
Brilliant Afro-Guyanese poet John Agard performs this one man show about Christopher Columbus, the imperialist era he set in motion, and its impact on future generations. Expect something funny, lyrical, musical and satirical from this Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry winner. Head this way for more info.
SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER 2016 >>
Skin A Cat | The Bunker | 12 Oct-5 Nov
As you may know, especially if you read our recent interview with the show's director Blythe Stewart, this is the first show to be staged at new south-of-the-river venue The Bunker. It's a candid account of sexual coming of age that was highly acclaimed when it debuted at Vault Festival earlier this year. But you'll know that, of course, having seen our Q&A. Anyway, it's back, so if you didn't see it then, now's your chance. Click this link here.
Lynn Ruth Miller – This Is Your Future | Museum Of Comedy | 15 Oct (pictured)
Ah, the excellent Lynn Ruth Miller is on at the Museum Of Comedy this week, which is brilliant, because she is always brilliant. The 82 year old performer invites you young 'uns to come and see what the future holds for you, and I predict, if you decide to go, that your future Saturday night will be full of fun. Head this way for all the details.
The Book Club | King's Head Theatre | 11 Oct-5 Nov
English-Australian 'Prisoner' alumnus Amanda Muggleton has already won much acclaim for her performance in this piece about an empty-nester who joins a book group, despite having avoided doing so for years, and finds herself living her best life as a result. It's described as a "side-splitting comedy" and the script by Roger Hall has elicited much praise. See the venue website here for more info.
SUNDAY 16 OCTOBER 2016 >>
Trumpageddon | King's Head Theatre | 16 Oct-8 Nov
The dates of this satirical performance are exactly timed, as you can see, to run up until the US election, which The Donald might conceivably win. It's a partly improvised show, created by actor Simon Jay, and it had some very complimentary reviews up at the Edinburgh Fringe. Expect wit and humour, but also a fairly terrifying glimpse at an all-too-possible world where Trump is in a position of great power. Argh. See this page here for more.
A Pocket Full Of Grimms | Canada Water Culture Space | 15-16 Oct
One of our very most beloved children's theatre companies, Story Pocket Theatre, bring one of their many excellent shows to Canada Water this weekend, which is lovely, especially for those of you with children to entertain. It's not one for toddlers, this, but it's a beautifully designed and performed show for children over five, and of course their parents, who'll be as enchanted by this selection of Grimm tales as their kids are. Click this link for details.
Hunted | Waterloo Station | 11 Oct-19 Nov (pictured)
"If you ever felt like you're bring watched, that's because you are. You are one of the most important people in the world and yet you've managed to live a peaceful life. That is because we have been protecting you but now our protection has been compromised." Can you resist? I bet you can't, especially if you're a fan of immersive, interactive theatre, which is what this is. And it's an action thriller – you'll have to run from enemy agents, collect secret packages, hide, and evade capture – courtesy of Colab Theatre. What are you waiting for? Book your tickets here.
MONDAY 17 OCTOBER 2016 >>
The Duke | Soho Theatre | 17-22 Oct (pictured)
We've been fans of Shon Dale-Jones (aka edfringe favourite Hugh Hughes) for years, and it just so happens we interviewed him up in Scotland this summer about this very show, so why not have a read? It's here. Anyway, for those of you refusing to click on that link, be advised that 'The Duke' is a show inspired by Dale-Hughes' own life, but also by the refugee crisis, which is why it's performed in aid of Save the Children's Child Refugee Crisis Appeal. Tickets are free (you still need to book), but please remember to make your donation. See the venue website here for info.
Bec Hill et al | The Good Ship | 17 Oct
Another cracking line-up of acts over at The Good Ship this Monday, topped by Bec Hill and filled out by a host of talented comedians: Wendy Wason, Lucy Frederick, Joe Jacobs, and of course, host Ben Van Der Velde. Click this for details.
Howl | The Rosemary Branch | 11-31 Oct
It's that spooky time of year, and the nights are drawing in, so I expect you are all desperate to spend at least one of your evenings scaring yourself half to death, so it's handy that The Rosemary Branch is on hand to provide you with this opportunity. Only kidding, I think this will be more fun than scary – it's an immersive show for audiences of just six, in which you team up with a ghost hunter and attempt to contact the dead. Actually, some of you might find that quite frightening, I suppose. See this page here, if you dare.
TUESDAY 18 OCTOBER 2016 >>
Hanging By A Thread | Jacksons Lane | 18 Oct-19 Oct
Two stories revolving around a bed: an old woman who has knitted herself into it thinks about the past and anticipates her demise, while the young woman who cares for her is longing for an unattainable romance. This piece, told through puppetry and music, is part of Jacksons Five, the venue's short season of work from five companies who are new to Jacksons Lane, or presenting brand new shows. See this page here for details.
Callisto – A Queer Epic | Arcola Theatre | 18-22 Oct
This show had a very successful run at the Fringe this summer, and certainly went down well with our own reviewer, who was very impressed by the actors' brilliant performance. The play, a new piece from Howard Coase comprises four stories of queer relationships at different times, three historical and one in the future. For more info and ticket-bookery, see this page here.
A House Repeated | Battersea Arts Centre | 18-29 Oct
This is back by popular demand, so you might already have been, but, you know, if you haven't you can go for the first time, and if you have you can go for a second time. Info for those who haven't: it's "an interactive performance-game that invites you to explore – and then create – an imagined world without leaving your seat", and it's had great reviews. See the venue website here for more.
WEDNESDAY 19 OCTOBER 2016 >>
Use My Body While It's Still Young | The Place | 19-20 Oct
"In an age obsessed with the worship of youth, and beauty defined through youth, where does that leave those who are no longer young?" Award-winning Norwegian choreographer Hege Haagenrud explores the issue in this insightful-looking piece performed by four dancers, all over the age of 65. This is another event from the very excellent Dance Umbrella, see the festival website here for more info.
Driving Miss Daisy | Canal Cafe Theatre | 18 Oct-5 Nov (pictured)
This production of Alfred Uhry's classic piece marks the launch of Canal Cafe Theatre's twelve month season of American plays in collaboration with director Russell Lucas. The show is to be performed in 'tramersive' style – which I think means in traverse but with the performers making forays out into the audience space. Anyway, this should be an intimate and affecting performance, and it's got a great cast. See the venue website for info and to book.
Tomorrow I Was Always A Lion | Arcola Theatre | 19-29 Oct
This is a story about recovering from schizophrenia, based on a memoir by Arnhild Lauveng, and is the work of the ever excellent Belarus Free Theatre. Described as a "theatrical investigation into the nature of psychosis and recovery", the show promises to challenge the way we perceive and understand of this condition. See the venue website here.
THURSDAY 20 OCTOBER 2016 >>
The Hotel Cerise | Theatre Royal Stratford East | 20 Oct-12 Nov
This new play by Bonnie Greer is inspired by Chekhov's 'The Cherry Orchard' and is set in and around the Hotel Cerise, a haunt of middle class black people during the time of segregation. In the present day, Anita Mountjoy is at risking of losing her family's beloved retreat, a place where "Martin Luther King rested and Miles Davis played". See this page here for info and to book.
Wallflower | Battersea Arts Centre | 20-22 Oct
I am so intrigued by the sound of this show from Quarantine, which is part of the much-mentioned-lately Dance Umbrella. Here, I'll let it speak for itself: "It's unlikely that you remember every dance you've ever danced – the school disco, your first slow dance, a drunken boogie down the street or a wedding waltz perhaps? Well Wallflower is here to remind you... it changes at every show, as each performer chooses which of their memories of dancing to dance". See this page here for more.
Richard Gadd – Monkey See Monkey Do | Soho Theatre | 18 Oct-12 Nov
Hardened comedy lovers won't need my encouragement, I am sure, to attend the show that won Richard Gadd this year's big Edinburgh comedy award. Non-hardened comedy lovers should be advised that this show goes beyond the comedic and on to the visceral, violent, emotional and heartbreaking, so be prepared. Book your tickets here.
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